Shopsmith lathe tools

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Dale Allen

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Anyone know what kind of quality this thing is?
I picked it up at a flea market for $5 last week, 1/4" x 1" skew.
It seems to hold an edge OK, about like my other older tools or a ben-best.
When grinding, it did not seem as hard as my crown tools.
 

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About three years ago Alan Lacer did a "test" of lathe tools and their steel. It was published in the AAW magazine. If I recall correctly Shopsmith, Ben's Best and the higher priced Harbor Freight set all had steel compositions equal to Sorbys M2 HSS steel. Since then however the trend has been leaning towards the powered metal tools.
 
Dale Allen said:
Anyone know what kind of quality this thing is?
I picked it up at a flea market for $5 last week, 1/4" x 1" skew.
It seems to hold an edge OK, about like my other older tools or a ben-best.
When grinding, it did not seem as hard as my crown tools.
Click to expand...

Looking at that picture you have posted I would say that it is not an HSS tool, so its value matches what you spent (IMHO). :wink:
 
You can determine what composition the tool is with a "spark test". You could also search on the part number. It appears that the current part number is different so I think you have a carbon steel turning tool. It will take a sharper edge, but the edge doesn't last as long.
 
I have that same skew. Carbon steel. Will sharpen up nicely, but needs touched up more often. Also, be carful when grinding because it is easy to burn the edge. It will cut wood, justs needs a little more TLC than HSS tools.
 
Thanks Tom.
I've used it several times and it holds an edge as well as most of my other tools.
I can sharpen just fine so that is no problem.
 
Dale; I have had my Shop Smith for over 40 years and the HSS tools are just as good today as the day they arrived. They may need a little more touching up now and than as opposed to todays metals, but if you know how to sharpen and hone your tools, it's no problem. I also have some Sorbys tools, but that is like compareing apples and oranges. The Sorbys are much longer and heavier and give you a much more in command feel. For my pen work I have a set of mini tools that give you a smaller, much lighter feel for more precise work. I think it all breaks down to the sharpness of the tool your are using. If you are making dust instead of shavings, your tool needs to be rehoned is my moto. Jim S
 
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